Free standing or attachable designer form

ABSTRACT

A free standing or attachable designer form is disclosed. According to one embodiment a front section comprises a first piece of material, the first piece of material having a first front side and a first back side. A back section comprises a second piece of material, the second piece of material having a second front side and a second back side. A middle section comprises a flexible sheet having a third front side and a third back side, wherein the third front side of the flexible sheet is attached to the first back side of the first piece of material and the third back side of the flexible sheet is attached to the second back side of the second piece of material. A first end has a first closure attached thereto, a second end having a second closure attached thereto, and the first end and second end attach using the first closure and second closure.

The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/052,806 entitled “Apparatus and Methods For Providing Free Standing Designer Form, Decorative Wraps, Bands, Spirals And Bracelets For Containers” filed on May 13, 2008, and is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD

The present invention relates generally to designer forms and, more specifically, to free standing or attachable designer forms.

BACKGROUND

Decorated containers are useful for gifts, special occasions, holidays, and basic decorating tasks. A user's need for decorated containers changes frequently, increasing a user's demand for storage and the need to buy additional decorated containers. Buying new decorated containers for every holiday or special occasion and subsequently storing or disposing of them is costly and inconvenient.

SUMMARY

A free standing or attachable designer form is disclosed. According to one embodiment a front section comprises a first piece of material, the first piece of material having a first front side and a first back side. A back section comprises a second piece of material, the second piece of material having a second front side and a second back side. A middle section comprises a flexible sheet having a third front side and a third back side, wherein the third front side of the flexible sheet is attached to the first back side of the first piece of material and the third back side of the flexible sheet is attached to the second back side of the second piece of material. A first end has a first closure attached thereto, a second end having a second closure attached thereto, and the first end and second end attach using the first closure and second closure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

The accompanying drawings, which are included as part of the present specification, illustrate the presently preferred embodiment and together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment given below serve to explain and teach the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a flattened view of a rectangular attachable or free standing designer form, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2A is an assembled view of a rectangular attachable or free standing designer form, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2B is a top view of an assembled rectangular attachable or free standing designer form surrounding a container, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a side view of an assembled rectangular attachable or free standing designer form, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flattened view of a cylindrical attachable or free standing designer form, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5A is an assembled view of a cylindrical attachable or free standing designer form, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5B is a side view of an assembled cylindrical attachable or free standing designer form surrounding a container, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5C is a top or bottom view of an assembled cylindrical attachable or free standing designer form, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6A illustrates assembling of multiple materials in an attachable or free standing designer form, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6B illustrates assembling of multiple materials in an attachable or free standing designer form, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 7A illustrates an end enclosure or lid for a designer form, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 7B illustrates an attachable embellishment for a free standing or attachable designer form, according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A free standing or attachable designer form is disclosed. According to one embodiment a front section comprises a first piece of material, the first piece of material having a first front side and a first back side. A back section comprises a second piece of material, the second piece of material having a second front side and a second back side. A middle section comprises a flexible sheet having a third front side and a third back side, wherein the third front side of the flexible sheet is attached to the first back side of the first piece of material and the third back side of the flexible sheet is attached to the second back side of the second piece of material. A first end has a first closure attached thereto, a second end having a second closure attached thereto, and the first end and second end attach using the first closure and second closure.

A designer form is made from fabrics of all kinds, leather (real and faux), suedes (real and faux), and various embellishments such as jewels, beads, feathers, shells, crystals. The forms are open at both ends and can be made in any shape and size. A form can be round, square, rectangle, oval, spiral, or a free form design. The forms can be reversible and have a lid. Each designer form consists of an inner structure created from a thin flexible sheet. The flexible sheet gives the forms the ability to stand freely.

A container of any shape can be placed inside the designer form. Examples of containers include but are not limited to vases for flowers, hurricanes for candles, wine chillers, napkins (the form acting as a napkin ring). The form can completely cover the container, or the form can be a decorative spiral or band.

The present forms can stand freely around or attach to a container. The forms are created in any height, width, shape or design and are created to embellish containers of various materials, shapes and sizes. The forms are reusable accessories. Several embodiments of the forms can be implemented, including but not limited to wraps, bands, spirals, and bracelets.

The present designer forms can be designed using any theme. Themes include but are not limited to: wedding, holiday, anniversary, birthday, beach, or custom.

Examples of decorative trims and designs include but are not limited to:

-   -   1) A napkin band, a utensil band, or a pocket as a reusable         accessory designed to coordinate with chosen designer forms,         wraps, bands, spirals or bracelets. The band can be attached to         a placemat by Velcro, regular or magnetic snaps, magnetic hidden         strips or snaps.     -   2) A decorative attachable trim for table runners, placemats,         tablecloths and pillows. The trim can be attached by Velcro,         regular or magnetic snaps, magnetic hidden strips or snaps.

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, specific nomenclature is set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the various inventive concepts disclosed herein. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that these specific details are not required in order to practice the various inventive concepts disclosed herein.

FIG. 1 is a flattened top or bottom view of a rectangular attachable or free standing designer form, according to one embodiment. A single rectangular form is made up of 4 sides 102, 103, 104, and 105 with folds in between each side. The form has two areas 101 and 106 where closures can be attached. Examples of closures include, but are not limited to regular snaps, magnetic snaps, magnetic hidden strips or snaps, regular or magnetic buttons, hooks, zippers, and Velcro. In one embodiment no closures are attached to 101 and 106, instead 101 and 106 are permanently fused together. The size of the form varies based on the length of the side 107 and the width of a side 108 and can be set appropriately to fit any container.

FIG. 2A is a top view of an assembled view of a rectangular attachable or free standing designer form, according to one embodiment. A rectangular form has 4 sides 207, 205, 202, and 204. The four sides are folded into a box-like shape and connected at a closure area 203. The form is open on both ends, meaning area 201 is an empty area open for a container.

FIG. 2B is a top view of an assembled rectangular attachable or free standing designer form surrounding a container, according to one embodiment. A rectangular form has 4 sides 207, 205, 202, and 204. The four sides are folded into a box-like shape and connected at a closure area 203. The form is open on both ends, meaning area 201 is an empty area open for a container 206. Container 206 is either attached to the inside of the sides 207, 205, 202, and 204, or the container 206 is placed within the walls without permanent attachment to the form.

FIG. 3 is a side view of an assembled rectangular attachable or free standing designer form, according to one embodiment. A rectangular form has 4 sides 207, 205, 202, and 204. The four sides are folded into a box-like shape and connected at a closure area 203. The form is open on both ends, meaning area 201 is an empty area open for a container 206. Container 206 is either attached to the inside of the sides 207, 205, 202, and 204, or the container 206 is placed within the walls without permanent attachment to the form.

FIG. 4 is a flattened view of a cylindrical attachable or free standing designer form, according to one embodiment. A cylindrical form has a single wall 403 and two areas 401 and 402 where closures can be attached. The cylindrical form rolls up and the two ends with closures 401 and 402 attach to each other. Examples of closures include, but are not limited to regular snaps, magnetic snaps, magnetic hidden strips or snaps, regular or magnetic buttons, hooks, zippers, and Velcro. In one embodiment no closures are attached to 401 and 402, instead 401 and 402 are permanently fused together. The dimensions of the cylindrical form vary depending on design, and can be set to make the cylinder any height.

FIG. 5A is an assembled view of a cylindrical attachable or free standing designer form, according to one embodiment. A cylindrical form has a single wall 501 that folds around and connects at a closure area 502. The cylindrical form is open at both ends, meaning area 504 is open to insert a container.

FIG. 5B is a side view of an assembled cylindrical attachable or free standing designer form surrounding a container, according to one embodiment. A cylindrical form has a single wall 501 that folds around and connects at a closure area 502. The cylindrical form is open at both ends, meaning area 504 is open to insert a container 503. Container 503 is either attached to the wall 501 of the form, or the wall 501 can wrap around the container 503 in a non-permanent attachment.

FIG. 5C is a top or bottom view of an assembled cylindrical attachable or free standing designer form, according to one embodiment. A cylindrical form has a single wall 501 that folds around and connects at a closure area 502. The cylindrical form is open at both ends, meaning area 504 is open to insert a container 503. Container 503 is either attached to the wall 501 of the form, or the wall 501 can wrap around the container 503 without permanent attachment.

FIG. 6A illustrates assembling of multiple materials in an attachable or free standing designer form, according to one embodiment. A flexible sheet 602 is manually inserted between two decorative pieces of material 601 and 603.

FIG. 6B illustrates assembling of multiple materials in an attachable or free standing designer form, according to one embodiment. A flexible sheet 602 is manually inserted between two decorative pieces of material 601 and 603. The two decorative pieces of material 601 and 603 are cut by hand or machine and decorated with embellishments. The pieces of material 601 and 603 are sewn together, and batting (if desired) is glued to the flexible sheet 602. Closures are attached as necessary. The flexible sheet 602 is manually inserted between the sewn together pieces of decorative material 601 and 603, and the open end is closed by sewing to complete the single piece form. Batting is cotton or foam, or any other appropriate material.

Another feature of a free standing or attachable designer form, regardless of the shape of the form, is reversibility in one embodiment. Reversibility allows a form to be decorated on both the inside and the outside so that a user can use one side for one form and the other side for another form. Implementing such an embodiment involves changes to decorative pieces of material 601 and 603, for example, and the embellishments attached to them.

FIG. 7A illustrates an end enclosure or lid for a designer form, according to one embodiment. The figure shown in FIG. 7 is rectangular as an example, however an end enclosure may come in any shape to fit any attachable or free standing designer form. An end enclosure has a top 702 and two ends 701 and 703. Ends 701 and 703 can have closures attached to them, in one embodiment the closures are hidden magnets. Ends 701 and 703 fold around the top of a designer form or container. An end enclosure has an optional opening 704 for the passage of any item as appropriate for the container a form is covering. As an example, an optional opening allows the passage of tissues where the container covered is a tissue box. An end enclosure or lid for a designer form is manufactured using a similar method to the manufacture of a designer form. An end enclosure or lid is reversible in the same way a designer form is reversible, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 7B illustrates an attachable embellishment for a free standing or attachable designer form, according to one embodiment. An attachable embellishment has a closure 706, which is hidden or not hidden depending upon the design used. The closure 706 is secured to an embellishment 705. The embellishment 705 may come as an embellishment or any material. The attachable embellishment can be attached to any shape of designer form, in such a location as designated by the particular form design.

An example of attaching a closure to a designer form, according to one embodiment, involves attaching hidden magnets to opposite ends of the flexible sheet before insertion. Once the flexible sheet with magnets is place between the decorative materials and the decorative materials are sewn together, the magnets are an effective closure and are hidden.

Examples of embellishments to be used in the present form include, but are not limited to feathers, beads, shells, jewels, and ribbons. Embellishments can be attached to the decorative material through hand sewing, machine sewing, machine heat set, machine gluing, hand gluing, or any combination of the above. An example of added embellishment to a decorative material, according to one embodiment, is to add a bead and feather design to one or more sides of a decorative form. Embellishments are removable through hidden magnets, regular snaps or magnetic snaps, according to one embodiment.

Examples of flexible sheets to be used in the present form include, but are not limited to leather board, polycarbonate, flexible acrylic, flexible metal or tin, or high grade cardboard. In one embodiment, the flexible sheets are sturdy, flexible, and heat resistant.

Decorative materials may include various fabrics of all kinds, real leathers and suede, faux leathers and suede, stretchable leathers. Decorative materials can be of any suitable material to be connected to a flexible sheet as described herein.

An attachable or free standing designer form is disclosed. It is understood that the embodiments described herein are for the purpose of elucidation and should not be considered limiting the subject matter of the present embodiments. Various modifications, uses, substitutions, recombinations, improvements, methods of productions without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention would be evident to a person skilled in the art. 

1. A decorative form, comprising: a front section comprising a first piece of material, the first piece of material having a first front side and a first back side; a back section comprising a second piece of material, the second piece of material having a second front side and a second back side; and a middle section comprising a flexible sheet having a third front side and a third back side, wherein the third front side of the flexible sheet is attached to the first back side of the first piece of material and the third back side of the flexible sheet is attached to the second back side of the second piece of material; a first end having a first closure attached thereto; and a second end having a second closure attached thereto, wherein the first closure is attached to the second closure.
 2. The decorative form of claim 1, wherein the form is free standing.
 3. The decorative form of claim 1, wherein the form is attached to a container.
 4. The decorative form of claim 1, wherein the front section and the back section are reversed.
 5. The decorative form of claim 1, wherein the middle section further comprises batting material.
 6. The decorative form of claim 1, wherein the front section further comprises embellishments attached to the first front side of the first piece of material.
 7. The decorative form of claim 1, wherein the back section further comprises embellishments attached to the second front side of the second piece of material.
 8. The decorative form of claim 1, wherein the form is rectangular.
 9. The decorative form of claim 1, wherein the form is circular.
 10. The decorative form of claim 1, wherein the flexible sheet is leather board, polycarbonate, flexible acrylic, flexible metal, flexible tin, or high grade cardboard.
 11. The decorative form of claim 1, wherein the first closure is a hidden magnet, a snap, a button, a hook, a zipper, or velcro.
 12. The decorative form of claim 1, wherein the second closure is a hidden magnet, a snap, a button, a hook, a zipper, or velcro.
 13. The decorative form of claim 1, wherein the first and second ends are sewn together. 